Spacious, modernized decks improve waterfront dining

Published
12:00 am CDT, Monday, May 21, 2012

GRAFTON - New concrete decks at The Loading Dock have increased seating and improved on weathered wooden decks that were beyond repair.

Co-managers and siblings Peter Allen and Betsy Puent and the eatery's investors, which include their parents, Ben and Trudi Allen, all of Grafton, arranged construction and installation of the concrete decks over the winter. The improvements added 40 more tables, which increased seating by 160 for a total seating capacity of 550. The decks overlook and perch on the edge of the Mississippi River in Grafton.

The project enabled the Allens to install a new wheelchair ramp, as well.

Although the Allens lease the land from the city of Grafton, the Allens own from the sea wall to the building and financed the entire expansion project themselves. The Loading Dock pays rent of $7,000 to $8,000 per year to the city and pays at least $100,000 a year in sales tax, Ben Allen said.

"There's not a dime of city money in The Loading Dock," he said. "The wooden decks were under a lot of pressure from water, floods and were 20 years old. If water comes up here, it doesn't hurt us."

The Allens retained a small portion of the original wooden decks, but now utilities, lighting and natural gas services The Loading Dock's entire outdoor area.

"We still have the fire ring but moved it to the river's edge with the expansion," Allen said.

"The response has been very positive," Peter Allen said. "These are much more functional than the old wooden decks. We're excited about summer and glad to be back celebrating our 20th season."

The Loading Dock opened April 1 for weekends but this month began its summer schedule of opening at 11 a.m. seven days a week through September. Bands play every weekend.

Allen describes The Loading Dock as the only true waterfront dining experience in the St. Louis region.

The Loading Dock also plays host to weddings, showers, parties and corporate events, often in its adjacent boatworks building, where eight weddings already are scheduled this summer. The boatworks building also houses the Grafton Riverside Flea Market, organized and run by Trudi Allen. The flea market takes place during the fourth weekend of the month from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays every month through October.